Hardware Analysis - Arctic Silver 5

Re: Arctic Silver 5

Matt Iskov — 2008-03-29T05:25:15-05:00

I'll give that a shot later on today.
I'm going to buy that heatsink soon, anyone recommend anything else?

Re: Arctic Silver 5

john albrich — 2008-03-27T07:42:35-05:00

Matt Iskov said:

...i'm not sure how I can increase my fan speed for my CPU. It's one of them uhh, 4 pin mobo plugs. Not molex, and not 3 pin....

You may be able to change it with BIOS setting or via a software program like speedfan or similar.

In BIOS settings, there may be a section in which you can define the temperatures at which the fan speed increases. Some mobos don't have this control. Your mobo manual should tell you how to do this if it's possible.

For example, sometimes this is three levels of control. The default might set your CPU fan up at these temp/speed relationships (note: the fan speed might be expressed as RPMs or as a percentage of max RPM rating for the fan):

40C..800 RPM
45C.1200 RPM
50C.1800 RPM

What it means is that at 40C, your fan is set to 800rpm, as the temp increases past 45C, it increases to 1200rpm, and at 50C and above, it's set to 1800rpm.

Some mobos let you increase the rpms and/or lower the temp threshold so the fan spins faster at a given temp, thereby providing more cooling.

There's sometimes a similar section for the system fan settings. Again, sometimes a freeware program may be able to control the fan speeds when there is no provision to do so in BIOS settings.

If the fans can't be controlled by BIOS setting or a program, then a hardware controller can be used. Again there are choices available in controllers and connection methods. For example, there's an easy way to connect a +12V fan to +7V, so it isn't spinning as fast as possible, but it usually spins faster than default settings. Similarly, you can connect a fan straight to +12V but that's usually pretty noisy. Alternately, a fan speed controller can be purchased which lets you set the fan speed anywhere from 0 to full-speed.

It's usually easier and cheaper to first try the BIOS settings, then the freeware software, and then the hardware control in that order.

Re: Arctic Silver 5

Matt Iskov — 2008-03-27T06:02:10-05:00

Thanks for everyones replies.
I don't think i'll be lapping for a while heh.

I was looking at that Arctic Freezer some time ago, I was concidering getting it but didn't know what to get, i'm new to heatsinks and stuff.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Arctic-Cooling-Freezer-64-Pro-AMD-Socket-AM2-939-754_W0QQitemZ190167627376QQihZ009QQcategoryZ80149QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem
Right one?

John, i'm not sure how I can increase my fan speed for my CPU.
It's one of them uhh, 4 pin mobo plugs.
Not molex, and not 3 pin.
So i'm not sure what to do here.

I re applied my AS5 today, made it more thinner, I knew I had it too thick last time. Hopefully i'll see some difference.

Re: Arctic Silver 5

Meats of Evil — 2008-03-27T05:57:21-05:00

_MD_ said:

Did you read the AS applying manual?
http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appinstruct/as5/ins_as5_amd_dual_wcap.pdf

Also with a stock heat sink, you will notice maximum of 1-2 degrees difference just by changing a thermal compound. Your best bet would be either to lap both the cpu and HSF or invest in a more powerful HSF like Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme.

A Thermalright is a little too much for an AMD3800 IMO. Why not get the Artic Freezer 64 Pro?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185125 Only $20.00

Re: Arctic Silver 5

john albrich — 2008-03-26T20:07:32-05:00

Dont' you think lapping sounds pretty ambitious for this level, guys?

Until the AS5 proper application issue can be resolved, I think lapping, which requires very careful precision adherence to detailed instructions, should be left as an alternate solution.

I'd recommend first just increasing the default CPU heat-sink fan speed settings (e.g. start with +10%) if possible, then going for a better heat-sink if still required, and then trying lapping if something more is still needed.

edit to add-
I'd also recommend additional and/or higher-speed case cooling (might help with the RAM temps as well), and a thorough cleaning of all the heat-sinks, air vents, fans, and filters (if any).

Re: Arctic Silver 5

_MD_ — 2008-03-26T18:07:34-05:00

The core is producing heat. The area around the core is the internal heat sink, it tries to dissipate heat as well, but if you attach the HSF directly on core and HTC between only the core and the heatsink, you would optimize the heat transfer. If the whole area of the cpu is covered with thermal grease, it is very hard to establish perfectly equal surface (on nano scale) and thus some places would have more thermal grease than others. More thermal grease produces less efficient heat transfer. If I'm not mistaken, in some older cpus (up to pentium III) you could take the internal heat sink off and attach the HFS directly on the core! But those times have pasted, Intel and AMD now makes copper-base/nickel-surface IHS on all of the new chips.

In any regards, try lapping your surfaces or again, get a better heat-sink-fan if you want to decrease your cpu temps.

Here's my lapping project... hope it serves as an inspiration.
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=181535

Re: Arctic Silver 5

Matt Iskov — 2008-03-26T16:03:50-05:00

So a circle, roughly around 0.5cm X 0.5cm in size, right in the center of my CPU, and let the heatsink spread it out?
Does the non-covered area around the edge of the headspreader cause more heat?

Re: Arctic Silver 5

_MD_ — 2008-03-26T16:01:18-05:00

Matt Iskov said:

So when i'm applying, I just need to place the Thermal Paste above the core on the heatspreader, rather than covering it from corner to corner?

exactly

Re: Arctic Silver 5

Matt Iskov — 2008-03-26T15:58:16-05:00

So when i'm applying, I just need to place the Thermal Paste above the core on the heatspreader, rather than covering it from corner to corner?

Re: Arctic Silver 5

_MD_ — 2008-03-26T15:48:34-05:00

I never applied it on AMD processors, but this is how I did my quadcore:
http://www.arcticsilver.com/pdf/appinstruct/as5/ins_as5_intel_quad_wcap.pdf

Re: Arctic Silver 5

Matt Iskov — 2008-03-26T15:39:44-05:00

No no my memory is fine, i've had it for a while never found any problems.
My GFX is an 8800GTS 512mb. I don't think it's the cause of the problem because it idles at 41 and 50 on mass game load.

Possibly show me a diagram or something of the line technique?

Re: Arctic Silver 5

_MD_ — 2008-03-26T14:33:18-05:00

No no, memory doesn't affect the temps (although with a poor case air flow, anything emitting heat just adds fuel to the fire). What I meant was that memory might be the cause for your system crashes... What kind of GFX do you have? Try underclocking it.

As for the HTC applying technique, I found that AS5 instructions works best, especially for dual/quad core cpus. You apply it in a very thin line (along the cores) and a HSF pressure spreads it around the core.

Re: Arctic Silver 5

Matt Iskov — 2008-03-26T14:27:48-05:00

How does memory effect my temperature for cpu?
Sorry, i'm new to this type of stuff.

Hmm.. I could get my friend to lap them.. he was talking about it the other day, but I was like "Uhm yeah ok.."

Hmm..
Can anyone provide a pic on how thermal paste should look like on a CPU?
Does it have to be 100% smooth?

Re: Arctic Silver 5

DsL.Dilbert — 2008-03-26T14:23:56-05:00

Double Post. Sorry.

Re: Arctic Silver 5

DsL.Dilbert — 2008-03-26T14:23:56-05:00

Matt Iskov said:

Yeah I did read the manual, I also saw videos on youtube.

Well, i've noticed that the thermal paste has kept my temperatures more steady but we will have to see in 2-3 days.

Define Lap? I'm not sure if i've heard of this term.

Btw, thank's for your replies

"Lapping" is the process of smoothing out the base of the heatsink and/or the IHS of the processor to improve heat transfer. Sometimes, aftermarket heatsinks which have "dull" bases can be lapped for improved heat transfer as well since, generally, "shinier/reflective" heatsink bases have superior heat transfer. This process is generally done in phases starting with "rougher" sand paper or a lower level of grit until you work your way to a very fine grit for shining purposes. Warning: lapping a processor or heatsink voids warranty.